James E. McDowell

July 23, 2017

James E. McDowell, 74, of Bainbridge, Ga., passed away Sunday, July 23, 2017.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at West Street Baptist Church with Rev. David Grubbs and Rev. Bill McCamon officiating. Interment will be at Oak City Cemetery with Cawthon “Cotton” Hester, Raymond “Butch” Wilson, Sidney Brooks, Pete Clark, Marvin Culverson, Lofton Willis and Melvin Donley serving as active pallbearers.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. Memorials made be made to: Hospice of Southwest Georgia, 117 S. Donalson Street, Bainbridge, GA 39817 or Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, 1250 Cox Avenue, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

James Edward McDowell was born January 2, 1943, in Bainbridge, the son of Thomas Mercer McDowell and Vernice Ethel Logue. He was a graduate of Decatur County Public Schools and attended South Georgia Technical Trade and Vocational School in Americus, GA. James served his country in the United States Navy. He married Linda Jo Cook in 1963, and continued to make his home in Bainbridge.

Known to many as a “Jack of All Trades,” James could often be found in his shop building on something or tinkering on an old car. His favorite restoration project was, of course, a Volkswagen. When he wasn’t working on a project, he may be caught fishing or hunting, but never hunted deer. He was very direct so you never had to wonder where you stood or what James thought about a subject. His stubborn streak bubbled up on most any occasion and sometimes even spilled over to creating his own recipes for things he loved to cook. He loved his family and friends and never passed up an opportunity to fry fish with them.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Linda McDowell; his son, Jeff McDowell of Dothan and Panama City Beach; his God daughter, Dina Brinson Chestnut of Bainbridge; his mother, Vernice McDowell; his siblings, Jeanette Faircloth of Bainbridge and Charles McDowell of Pawlsbo, Washinton; and several nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Mercer McDowell, and his brother, William “Billy” McDowell.

The McDowell family would like to extend special appreciation to Jessica and all the staff of Southwest Georgia Hospice for their care and compassion.